Vilma Espín
Vilma Espín Guillois | |
|---|---|
Espín c. 1958 | |
| First Lady of Cuba | |
| In role 2 December 1976 – 18 June 2007 De facto 16 February 1959 – 2 December 1976 | |
| Leader | Fidel Castro Raúl Castro |
| Preceded by | María de la Caridad Molina |
| Succeeded by | Lis Cuesta Peraza (2018) |
| President of the Federation of Cuban Women | |
| In office 23 August 1960 – 18 June 2007 | |
| Succeeded by | Yolanda Ferrer Gómez as General Secretary |
Other office held
| |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Vilma Lucila Espín Guillois 7 April 1930 Santiago de Cuba, Cuba |
| Died | 18 June 2007 (aged 77) Havana, Cuba |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 4, including Mariela and Alejandro |
| Education | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
| Awards | Lenin Peace Prize (1977–78) |
Vilma Lucila Espín Guillois (7 April 1930 – 18 June 2007) was a Cuban revolutionary, feminist, and chemical engineer. She helped supply and organize the 26th of July Movement as an underground spy, and took an active role in many branches of the Cuban government from the conclusion of the revolution to her death. Espín helped found the Federation of Cuban Women and promoted equal rights for Cuban women in all spheres of life.
As the wife of Raúl Castro and the sister-in-law of Fidel Castro, she was essentially the First Lady of Cuba for about 45 years.